Guerrero returning to ring after 13-month layoff

June 20, 2014

Updated 9:16 p.m.

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Former Four-Division World Champion Robert Guerrero speaks to members of the media on June 18, 2014 in Los Angeles, California during a media workout in preparation for his June 21, 2014 fight against Yoshihiro Kamegai at StubHub Center in Carson, California live on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING. Gene Blevins - Hoganphotos/Golden Boy Promotions

Former Four-Division World Champion Robert Guerrero speaks to members of the media on June 18, 2014 in Los Angeles, California during a media workout in preparation for his June 21, 2014 fight against Yoshihiro Kamegai at StubHub Center in Carson, California live on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING. Gene Blevins - Hoganphotos/Golden Boy Promotions

After a career payday and the biggest fight of his career against Floyd Mayweather, the fighter known as The Ghost disappeared.

Saturday, Robert Guerrero (31-2-1, 18 KOs) returns to the ring after a 13-month layoff, refreshed and ready to proceed with his career. Guerrero will face Yoshihiro Kamegai (24-1-1, 21 KOs) at StubHub Center in a welterweight fight.

The main card begins at 7 p.m.

“I was able to spend time with my family, recuperate my body, so it (the time off) was good,” Guerrero said. “I’ve had layoffs before, longer layoffs actually, so that wasn’t too bad. I just have to go out there and fight.”

Guerrero’s last fight came against Mayweather on May 4, 2013. Guerrero lost a unanimous decision — all three judges had it 117-111. After fighting his way into that showcase event, the Gilroy-based Guerrero faced uncertainty in his career.

Guerrero made a guaranteed $3 million for the fight.

His next fight came outside of the ring as Guerrero tried to break his promotional contract with Golden Boy Promotions. The California State Athletic Commission denied Guerrero a hearing.

He then signed with influential adviser Al Haymon and all problems seemed to disappear.

“There were a couple of thing going on,” Guerrero said. “But I’m back, I’m here to fight. The layoff gave my body a rest. I’m refreshed. I had three tough training camps and three tough fights back-to-back, so I’m excited again.”

He will need to be 100 percent focused on a fighter as dangerous as Kamegai. Kamegai had made his name in his native Japan, but in two fights in the U.S., he has a draw and a loss. All but three others ended with him winning by knockout.

“He comes in, puts a lot of pressure and likes to fight,” Guerrero said of Kamegai. “He’s not going to back down.

“I plan on providing an action-packed fight. Kamegai comes to fight and you know I always come to fight, so it should be very exciting.”

While he hopes to kickstart his career with a victory, it is the loss to Mayweather that still haunts Guerrero.

“There are lot of things that I could have done better in that fight,” Guerrero said. “I know Mayweather has three more fights lined up for him, and I'll try to get back into that position and give it another shot.

“I felt like that wasn't the best of me in there and you tend to follow certain styles, trying to be the guy just walking guys down where you've got a lot more God-given abilities that you've got to put to use. So, there's a lot more that I can bring to the table when I fight, I wasn't really satisfied with my performance then and I want to get back up and make it happen.”

First thing is Saturday night’s clash with ring rust and Kamegai.

“When you have this type of a layoff, you get hungry,” Guerrero said. “I’m hungry.”

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